A lock
of his dark hair
shines
in the sunlight
as he
runs swiftly
up the field,
catching the football.
My heart
gives a
leap
and it
soon
begins:
A Butterfly.
It starts as a small tickle
as it flies around
with its gentle
tarsi
skimming
the edge
of my stomach.

One butterfly turns into two
when his crooked grin
slides up
on one side
right before
he runs through
the goal line.
His grin turns
into a full
smile
as he faises
the football
high over
his head.
Two multiplies
into hundreds
with their wings
beating
against my sides,
kicking
and scratching
the bottom
of my lung,
diaphragm,
and liver.
Their tails
punch my heart
over and over,
as my
heartbeat
pounds
through
my
skin.

I tap
my feet against
the bleachers
as I watch
him
panting
at the water cooler.
Wishing,
Hoping,
Praying
that he would just           look
at me.
See me.
Find me.

He lets
out a laugh as his teammates
clap his shoulder pads
while he
pushes his hair
off of his
sweat layered
forehead
while
the butterfly wings
thunder
and
pound
against
my body.
Crushing his cup
he faces the bleachers.

The world disappears.

When his midnight blue eyes meet mine.

Thousands of them burst
and explode,
tearing
my stomach apart.
I sigh, whispering to myself.

“Forget butterflies-the whole zoo erupts when I see you.”